Gov. Kasich: Raising local taxes 'not an option'

COLUMBUS (AP) — The governor says legislation to curtail the collective-bargaining rights of public employees should help local government and school districts deal with reduced state funding.

Gov. John Kasich tells The Columbus Dispatch in an interview that raising taxes at the local level is “not an option” to make up for state budget cuts.

A bill passed by the state Senate and now going through Ohio House hearings would prohibit strikes and limit other union rights of police, teachers, and other public employees. In the interview published today, Kasich, a Republican, describes the measure as one of the “tools” his administration is giving local officials so they can control costs.

The Dispatch reports Kasich’s budget would cut state money for local government by 25 percent in each of two years.